What do the Grand Palais, Stade de France, Hôtel de Ville, and Place de la Concorde all have in common? Apart from the fact that they're all in Paris, they'll also be the main locations for the 2024
Paris Olympics. From the information that has been released so far, it seems like this upcoming global event will take over the entire French capital. Because of this, it'll be easy to get lost in all the different events and venues. So if you want to watch the best athletes battle it out for the gold this 2024, you'd do well to know where they'll be competing beforehand.
Stade de France
Though this list has more famous and even some of the most iconic spots in Paris, it's only fitting to start it off with Stade de France. Why? Because this is the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Located in the northern suburban area of Saint-Denis, this is where everything will kick off, from the traditional parade of nations to the extraordinary performances that French artists will put on. Notably, Stade de France also serves as the national stadium of France. It has long hosted all sorts of global events even before the upcoming Paris Olympics. The place is worth visiting for its treasured history alone!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Zakarie Faibis
Eiffel Tower Stadium
This might confuse you a little since there isn't an actual stadium
near the Eiffel Tower. If you visit the iconic monument now, you won't find any such venue at all. All you'll see is the Champ de Mars park, the beloved recreational area right next to the Eiffel Tower. But make no mistake, once the 2024 Paris Olympics draw near, the city will start setting up the outdoor arena that will host the beach volleyball games and the blind football matches for the Paralympics. It'd be quite a sight to see these awesome games happening while the world-famous tower stands proudly in the background.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Champ de Mars Arena
Speaking of the Champ de Mars, the park has another arena set up for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris as well. The Champ de Mars Arena is a 10,000-square-meter overlay venue located in the
7th arrondissement. It has long served to facilitate other big events when the Grand Palais is preoccupied. Even before the Paris Olympics, the venue has hosted all sorts of events, ranging from sports competitions to concerts. For the upcoming global sporting event, the Champ de Mars Arena will host judo and wrestling matches. Not to mention para judo and wheelchair rugby for the Paralympics.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Grand Palais
When speaking of important events places in Paris, you can't forget about the Grand Palais. Located in the
Champs-Élysées district, it has long served as the premier convention center of the French capital. The place itself is an architectural marvel! It's a perfect example of classic Art Nouveau style, arguably the grandest in the city. So it's also no surprise that the place has hosted world fairs, fashion shows during
Paris Fashion Week, and more. And for the Paris Olympics in 2024, those lucky enough to get tickets can watch fencing and taekwondo matches (both for the standard and Paralympic games) in this glass palace.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Hôtel de Ville
Who would've ever thought that the stunning Hôtel de Ville will also take part in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris? After all, this grand palace of an estate serves as the city hall. The mayor of Paris and other important officials actually work here. So how can a government building host the Olympic Games? Well, technically the event will happen around Hôtel de Ville, not inside. The area in which the city hall is located will serve as the race track for the 42.195 km marathon. You'd get to see the world's most famous runners and track superstars give it their all against the beautiful backdrop of Hôtel de Ville.
Source: Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons / “Paris, Hôtel de Ville -- 2014 -- 1714” / CC BY-SA 4.0
Les Invalides
Let's go back to the 7th arrondissement of Paris for this next one. Les Invalides is more known for Hôtel des Invalides, the palatial estate that Louis XIV commissioned to accommodate wounded soldiers. And yes, the structure itself is pretty other-worldly in person. You almost couldn't believe that it once operated as a hospital of sorts. However, Esplanade des Invalides, the luscious lawn located opposite Hôtel des Invalides, is still technically part of Les Invalides. And this is where the archery and road cycling games will take place during the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Thesupermat
Place de la Concorde
Place de la Concorde is among the most important sites in Paris for the French. This massive public plaza in the
8th arrondissement has seen many political protests, demonstrations, and the like. Even in the past few years alone! But come the 2024 Paris Olympics, the entire square will serve as the venue for all sorts of games. They'll include skateboarding, BMX freestyle, and three-on-three basketball matches. These will all happen in the Urban Park that the city plans to set up for the sporting event. Don't worry! The famous Luxor Obelisk will still be seen despite it all.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pont Alexandre III
You're probably thinking right now: “
how can a bridge serve as a venue for the Olympics?” It's virtually impossible, right? Not to mention the fact that the French capital has other awesome places that can host many games. So what can you expect on Pont Alexandre III during the Paris Olympics? Road cycling, triathlon, and marathon swimming. Now, these are the Olympic Games that will certainly work well on this famous bridge. They'll even set up the seating on the banks of the Seine River too. This is a new sight of Paris you won't ever see again! Or at least until the city hosts the Olympic Games again after a few decades.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Château de Versailles
And finally, there's the famous Château de Versailles. Though it's a fair distance away from the
central neighborhoods in Paris, it's still one of the most famous spots in the city. It did house the former monarchs and royal family of France, after all. In historical value alone, you can't overlook this magnificent
château near Paris. Evidently, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) thought the same thing. For the 2024 Paris Olympics, the once-royal court of France will host the equestrian games. And it's only fitting that this is the sport that a few modern-day royals will also participate in.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Know where the 2024 Summer Olympics will take place in Paris! It's important to note that the French capital is a big city. The venues that will host the Olympic Games vary, many of which are located quite far from each other.
